The nutritional value for human retina of lipids in Gou Qi Zi

Authors

  • Lei Zhou Singapore Eye Research Institute, The National University of Singapore, Singapore.
  • Josephine Ngai Department of Ophthalmology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China.
  • Ivan Leung Department of Ophthalmology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China.
  • Mark OM Tso The Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
  • Kwok-wai Lam Singapore Eye Research Institute, The National University of Singapore, Singapore.

Abstract

Aims: To investigate whether Gou Qi Zi contains sufficient carotenoids and fatty acids to supply the special lipid requirements of the human retina.

Materials and methods: Lipids were extracted from Gou Qi Zi by ethanol-hexane, then separated on a silica column and eluted by dioxane-hexane. The eluant was monitored by a photodiode array detector followed by a mass spectrometry detector.

Results: Before hydrolysis, only one pigmented lipid was detected in the chromatogram. The molecular size was identical to that of dipalmityl zeaxanthin. The major non-pigmented lipids have the molecular size of triglycerides and diglycerides. After hydrolysis, a marked increase in oleic, linoleic acid, and long chain fatty acids with 22 and 24 carbons was observed.

Conclusion: The lipid content in Gou Qi Zi matches the specific requirements of the human retina for long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and zeaxanthin.

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Published

2000-12-01

How to Cite

1.
Zhou L, Ngai J, Leung I, Tso MO, Lam K- wai. The nutritional value for human retina of lipids in Gou Qi Zi. Hong Kong J Ophthalmol [Internet]. 2000Dec.1 [cited 2024Apr.19];4(1):8-14. Available from: https://hkjo.hk/index.php/hkjo/article/view/131

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 1 (2000)

Section

Leading Article

License

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